Paneling of a Nacelle of a Wind Energy Installation

ABSTRACT

A paneling ( 30 ) of a nacelle ( 12 ) of a wind energy installation ( 10 ), in which an upturned panel ceiling ( 40 ) is provided in installation position, is created with a hatch opening ( 46 ), that is provided in the panel ceiling ( 40 ). The hatch opening ( 46 ) is advantageously provided so large, that components of the entire area of a drive train ( 24 ) of the wind energy installation ( 10 ) can be removed upwards, or inserted from above into the nacelle ( 12 ) through the hatch opening ( 46 ). Furthermore, such a hatch opening ( 46 ) is choosingly closable by means of a hatch cover ( 44 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of PCT application PCT/EP2008/003528, filed Apr. 30, 2008, and published as WO/2009/132671 on Nov. 5, 2009.

FIELD

The invention relates to the paneling of a nacelle of a wind energy installation as well as a wind energy installation with such a paneling.

BACKGROUND

In modern wind energy installations a nacelle, on which a rotor of the wind energy installation is beared, is rotably arranged on an associated tower. Thereby, the rotor is coupled torque transferring with a drive train, but at least with a generator or another energy converter, which is substantially arranged inside of the paneling of the nacelle. The energy converter includes control systems, which are also arranged inside of the paneling of the nacelle.

As such nacelles are to be arranged on the associated tower at high altitudes, the components, which are situated in the paneling, also have to be arranged and maintained up there. To carry out these installation and maintenance operations in a cost-effective and at the same time safe way is a great challenge.

The object underlying the invention is to create a wind energy installation, wherein components, that are to be arranged inside of a paneling of an associated nacelle, can be installed and also maintained over the entire service life of the wind energy installation in a very cost-effective and at the same time safe way for the persons involved.

The object is solved according to the invention by means of a paneling of a nacelle of a wind energy installation in accordance with claim 1 and a wind energy installation in accordance with claim 9. Advantageous improvements of the inventions are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention a paneling of a nacelle of a wind energy installation is created, in which in the installation position of the nacelle an upturned panel ceiling is provided. In the panel ceiling a hatch opening is formed or provided, which is formed or made so large, that components of the whole area of a drive train of the wind energy installation can be removed upwards, or inserted from above into the nacelle through the hatch opening. Furthermore, the hatch opening is choosingly closable by a hatch cover.

With regard to installing and maintaining components of a nacelle of a wind energy installation, the solution according to the invention is effected in a totally new way, as the components do not have to be hauled up from the bottom into the nacelle by a crane as in the case of conventional wind energy installations, but the components are inserted into the nacelle and also removed from it from above. This is preferably done from the air by means of a helicopter. The paneling of the nacelle of a wind energy installation according to the invention is in particular especially adapted, so that it can be approached by a helicopter, and thereafter, from the helicopter components can be inserted into the paneling of the nacelle but they can also be removed from there (in case of maintenance works).

Therefore, according to the invention, a particularly large hatch opening is provided on the upturned panel ceiling of the paneling of the wind energy installation, which can substantially be opened so wide, that it bridges or spans a large part of the panel ceiling. Such an insertion of components, especially by means of a helicopter, is not possible with conventional (small-area) maintenance hatches, as they may also be partly provided on the upturned panel ceiling of wind energy installations at present.

In known hatches on panelings of nacelles of a wind energy installation, generally the associated hatch covers can be flipped open, this means, they are arranged in a pivotable manner. In case of an advantageous improvement of the paneling or rather the wind energy installation according to the invention, the hatch cover is, however, slidable supported or beared. Therefore, this slidable bearing is especially advantageous because the hatch cover, according to the invention, is very extensive. With regard to the area exposed to wind during opening the hatch cover, the movable bearing is very advantageous. Furthermore, such a movable hatch cover is better fixed, when a helicopter approaches the nacelle.

It is also advantageous for safe opening and closing of the hatch cover according to the invention during harsh weather conditions, if this hatch cover is arranged and slidable on the outer face of the panel ceiling. Thereby, the hatch cover advantageously overlaps with the edge of the hatch opening, so that even during storms no rain or snow can force its way into the interior of the paneling.

In case of another advantageous arrangement of the solution according to the invention, the hatch cover is about half the size of the panel ceiling, this means, it spans about half of the panel ceiling. With such a hatch cover, an optimal compromise between a coverable hatch opening, which is as large as possible, and at the same time a safe guidance and arrangement of the hatch cover during opening is created. The opened hatch cover is safely arranged on the residual half of the panel ceiling and only provides a small area exposed to wind there.

Another very advantageous use of the openable hatch cover according to the invention is further created by the fact, that on two side edges of the panel ceiling, which are arranged opposite each other, one rail per side edge is provided, on which in each case the hatch cover is slidable supported or beared.

Furthermore, a part of the panel ceiling is advantageously spanned with a passable platform, under which the hatch cover can be moved for opening the hatch opening. People can advantageously step on the platform, especially when components have to be inserted or removed from the nacelle by a helicopter through the hatch opening. At the same time the hatch cover between the passable platform and the panel ceiling is fixed safely when opened.

In case of another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the hatch opening in the panel ceiling, which can be closed by means of the hatch cover, substantially covers the entire width of the associated nacelle. It is also very advantageous, when the hatch opening in the panel ceiling, which can be closed by means of the hatch cover, substantially reaches a front panel of the paneling, which faces an associated rotor. Such a big hatch opening at the upturned panel ceiling makes it possible to remove vertically upwards or insert components of the entire area of a drive train and also over a slew ring or rotation bearing of a nacelle.

The solution according to the invention further covers a wind energy installation with such a paneling arranged in accordance with the invention.

SUMMARY

A paneling (30) of a nacelle (12) of a wind energy installation (10), in which an upturned panel ceiling (40) is provided in installation position, is created with a hatch opening (46), that is provided in the panel ceiling (40). The hatch opening (46) is advantageously provided so large, that components of the entire area of a drive train (24) of the wind energy installation (10) can be removed upwards, or inserted from above into the nacelle (12) through the hatch opening (46). Furthermore, such a hatch opening (46) is choosingly closable by means of a hatch cover (44).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Hereinafter, an example of the solution according to the invention is explained in more detail by means of the accompanied schematic drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a wind energy installation according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of the wind energy installation according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the wind energy installation according to FIG. 1 during partly opened hatch opening.

FIG. 4 shows the view according to FIG. 1 during completely opened hatch opening.

FIG. 5 shows the view according to FIG. 2 during completely opened hatch opening.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the wind energy installation according to FIG. 1 with partly demounted components.

FIG. 7 shows a side view according to the demonstration of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the front view according to the demonstration of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

In the figures a wind energy installation 10, which includes a nacelle 12 as an essential component, is demonstrated. At the nacelle 12, a rotor 14 is pivoted by means of a hub 16, whereby three rotor blades 18 project radially of the hub.

The nacelle 12 is arranged on a tower 22 (which is only demonstrated in FIG. 3) by means of a slew ring 20 and covers a drive train with a generator 24 as well as associated control systems 26 inside. Furthermore, in the nacelle 12 a crane 28 is installed, by which especially components of the drive train can be inserted and exchanged.

The exterior shell of the nacelle 12 is provided with a paneling 30, which is built of a frame 32 and panels 34 disposed at it. With these panels 34 especially two lateral surfaces of the paneling 36, a front panel 38 and a panel ceiling 40 are built.

On the panel ceiling 40 between its lateral margins 42, which are arranged opposite each other, a hatch cover 44 is provided which substantially spans the entire width of the panel ceiling 40 and covers an underlying hatch opening 46. The hatch opening 46 substantially extends over the entire width of the panel ceiling 40 and in a longitudinal direction from the front panel 38 to a ceiling panel 48, whereby the hatch opening 46 substantially makes up one half of the longitudinal extension and the ceiling panel 48 extends over the second posterior half of the panel ceiling 40.

Thereby, the hatch cover 44 is situated over the ceiling panel 48 in such a way, that it can be slid over it. Thereby, the hatch cover 44 is guided on two rails 50, which are respectively situated on the lateral margins 42 of the panel ceiling 40. In this way the hatch cover 44 also seals the hatch opening 46 safely during harsh weather conditions and can be slid at the same time in a very simple way into an open position, in which it then only provided a very small area exposed to wind.

Above the ceiling panel 48 there is a helicopter roping area in the form of a platform 52, which is arranged with some clearance above the ceiling panel 48 by means of two beams 54. Thereby, both beams 54 extend from one lateral margin 42 of the panel ceiling 40 to the opposite lateral margin 42. The beams 54 and the platform 52 are provided in such a way, that the hatch cover 44 can be slid over the ceiling panel 48 under the platform 52. On the platform 52, which is provided in a way, that persons can step and walk on it, a bridge 56 projects, which extends along one of the lateral margins 42 in the direction of the rotor blades 18 and, therefore, extends over the hatch opening 46.

In the bridge 56 a bridge opening 58 is provided, in which a ladder 60 is situated. By means of the ladder 60 a person can get from the platform 52 or rather the bridge into the interior of the nacelle 12 and back. The person can use the ladder 60, when the hatch cover 44 is slid away of the hatch opening 46. Furthermore, the person can also use the ladder 60, when the hatch cover 44 closes the hatch opening 46. This is possible because in the hatch cover 44 a choosingly closable opening 62 is provided, which is situated under the bridge opening 58, when the hatch cover 44 is closed.

When the hatch cover 44 is opened, the hatch opening 46 is so large, that components can be removed vertically upwards from the interior of the nacelle 12 as well as inserted from the top into the nacelle 12. This is preferably done by means of a helicopter 64. Therefore, the hatch opening 46 is advantageously made so large, that it extends over the entire area of the drive train (see FIG. 5).

Finally, it should be noted that all features, which are named in the application documents and especially in the dependent claims, should individually or in any combination receive independent protection despite the made formal reference to one or more specific claims.

REFERENCE NUMERAL

-   -   10 wind energy installation     -   12 nacelle     -   14 rotor     -   16 hub     -   18 rotor blade     -   20 slew ring     -   22 tower     -   24 generator or drive train     -   26 control system     -   28 crane     -   30 paneling     -   32 frame     -   34 panel     -   36 lateral surface of the paneling     -   38 front panel     -   40 panel ceiling     -   42 lateral margin     -   44 hatch cover     -   46 hatch opening     -   48 ceiling panel     -   50 rail     -   52 platform     -   54 beam     -   56 bridge     -   58 bridge opening     -   60 ladder     -   62 opening in the hatch cover     -   64 helicopter

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

1. Paneling of a nacelle of a wind energy installation comprising: a panel ceiling upturned in installation position; a hatch opening formed in the panel ceiling, the hatch opening being large enough as to accommodate components of the entire area of a drive train of the wind energy installation being removed upwards or inserted from the top into the nacelle through the hatch opening; and a hatch cover, by means of which the hatch opening is choosingly closable.
 2. Paneling according to claim 1, wherein the hatch cover is supported slidable.
 3. Paneling according to claim 2, wherein the hatch cover is arranged and slidable on the outside of the panel ceiling.
 4. Paneling according to claim 1, wherein the hatch cover spans about half of the panel ceiling.
 5. Paneling according to claim 2, wherein, on two opposite lateral margins of the panel ceiling, respectively one rail is provided, on which respectively the hatch cover is slidable supported.
 6. Paneling, according to claim 1, wherein a part of the panel ceiling is bridged with a passable platform, under which the hatch cover is movable for opening the hatch opening.
 7. Paneling according to claim 1, wherein the hatch opening in the panel ceiling is closable by means of the hatch cover, and substantially overlays the entire width of the associated nacelle.
 8. Paneling according to claim 1, wherein the hatch opening in the panel ceiling, is closable by means of the hatch cover and substantially reaches a front panel of the paneling, which faces an associated rotor.
 9. A method of installation of components of a wind energy installation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a paneling of a nacelle of the wind energy installation, the paneling comprising: a panel ceiling upturned in installation position; a hatch opening formed in the panel ceiling, the hatch opening being large enough as to accommodate components of the entire area of a drive train of the wind energy installation being removed upwards or inserted from the top into the nacelle through the hatch opening; a hatch cover, by means of which the hatch opening is choosingly closable; removing upwards or inserting from above components of the drive train into the nacelle through the hatch opening. 